The Quiet Man

Americans, huh?! "What are you like!" As my British friends would say. "We don't take no sh*t." That's kind of our motto, dontcha think? If you look at those we put up on a pedestal, they tend to embody that belief. John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, Charles Bronson, Sylvester Stallone... they had all the great lines. "... You've got to ask yourself one question. 'Do I feel lucky?' Well do ya', punk?" Or what about this one... "I'm your worst nightmare." Even when they were romantic, it was a full on action scene. Remember John Wayne in The Quiet Man? Come on now, this is how it should be done.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qu8PcufLNsQ   
Even our president took on that spirit when a foreign enemy came on our soil and destroyed the lives of thousands of people. All of the sudden we were cowboys chasing down the bad guys and keeping them at bay. Not that we all rallied behind him, but that same attitude couldn't be mistaken.

I admit, I'm drawn to that kind of man at times. A protector, a leader, a 'definer of moments.' They make the tough decisions at crucial times and are willing to live with the consequences. Someones got to do it I s'pose or we'd all be shaking in our boots, afraid of our own shadows. It's the child in us maybe... that needs to know someone bigger and stronger than us is in control and watching out for our good.

I find it easy to make decisions quickly. I doubt I'm always right, but when there's a job to be done, I'll do it. I want to be someone who can be relied upon. But at times I find myself in need... I like being the weaker vessel. I like being able to be vulnerable when there are strong hands nearby to rely on. The funny thing is, I'm also drawn to a humble man... a man who does what needs to be done, but not because he holds himself in high esteem, but because there is a need and he knows it's his duty to meet that need. I respect that man.

My pastor once commented on Christ, and how he carried the cross, his burden, on his shoulder without a word... without complaint, without a curse or a whimper. I can't fathom him giving a line like, "Eat this, sin!" He was humble, as the Bible said..."He was obedient... even to the point of death... even death on a cross." I think the point where a man becomes a man is when he uses his strength and power for the betterment of others and not in order to obtain personal gain. That's a man's man. That's a man we can respect, or should.

Sure we love to cheer on the bad-a**es. After all, they've got the brawn, the guns, the power... it comes naturally to root for the hero. But in the end, it's the man who lays his life down in love that deserves true praise. The missionary who is imprisoned for his faith, the father who loses his job and mows lawns to put food on his family's table, the police officer who puts his own life in danger to rescue women and children from abusive relationships, the retired man who feeds and dresses his wife every day because she has Alzheimers. There are plenty of heroes out there who've never had a catch phrase in their lives, but they deserve our respect. So 'a tip o' the hat to ya'.' As Maureen O'Hara might have said... after she was done with that kiss.

Hi, who are you?

I used to be a cake person. I think am a pie person now.

I support a person's right to bear arms. And I would support an amendment making it much more difficult for someone to get a gun quickly and without a lengthy background check.

I have never been a cat person. I have a fear that I could become one in the future, but I am a dog person and proud of it. (I'm sorry cat friends.)

I believe that everything the Bible says is true, and I wont apologize for that, but I will apologize for the fact that you, as a non-believer, may have felt unloved by Christians in the past.  I can only tell you that God loves you enough to give up everything in order to be close to you... he loves you that much. I can only ask your forgiveness if my example has ever led you away from Him.

I don't like the rain much, but I love the wind. I feel alive in the wind. Like anything could happen.

I love wood. I love the smell, the feel and the look of it. I think carpenters are kinda hot.

I adore my kids, I think they're awesome. All of them in their own way. I love that they make me laugh and I would die for them... they are a gift to me from God.

I don't need to be rich and I've met very few rich people that I was impressed with. Money is like the teen years. It somehow keeps your character from advancing.

I love people. All kinds of people. I like to analyze them, they interest me to no end. I don't know if I'm trying to understand the human condition through each new study, or if each individual is simply fascinating on their own, but I never grow tired of people's stories.

I like compliments and attention. I guess that should be obvious, I think most people do, but I didn't know this about myself till I was 40. In my family, receiving compliments or attention was an open invitation to be lambasted by certain members of the family. I learned to diffuse these two things early on. Now I realize I crave them. Who knew?

Some days I feel kinda sexy, some days I hate to look in the mirror. I think it would be much easier to be a man.

I live in my head far too much.

So this is me, or a bit of me. Would you like to tell me who you are? You could post it on my wall or send it to my inbox or just leave a comment. I would love that. Thanks! :)